CDS to officers: sit up or get out

Two options are open to the two military chiefs removed at the weekend following the bombings at the elite Cmmand and Staff College, Jaji.

The former Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Air Marshal I.A. Kure and the Corps Commander, Infantry in Jaji, Maj-Gen. M. D.Isa may be retired or asked to voluntarily retire.

The two officers were removed from their respective positions following last Sunday’s bomb blast at St. Andrew’s Protestant Church at the Jaji Military Cantonment.

The two chiefs were removed for what a military source described as “embarrassing to the armed forces and the nation.”

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the preliminary investigation into Jaji bombings indicated some lapses which made the CDS to go tough.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim will no longer condone security laxity from service chiefs and commanders of all military formations, sources said.

It was learnt that the CDS told the security chiefs during an appraisal that all officers and men should sit up or get out if they cannot live up to their service oath.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The CDS has read the Riot Act to all service chiefs and military commanders.

“From preliminary report, the Defence Headquarters is of the opinion that the manner in which the terrorists invaded the Command and Staff College was inexplicable in a military formation.

“The DHQ and the government considered the security laxity as embarrassing to the Armed Forces and the nation in general. That was why the two officers were removed on Saturday.

“There were twin bombs. The terrorists used primary bomb as a decoy to draw out the worshippers to enable them detonate the secondary bomb with more impact. It was exactly the same method adopted during the October 1 bomb blast in Abuja.

“In a military formation, there ought to be a counter-response that could uncover the masterminds.

“The probe is still ongoing and more officers and men might be sacked. Some of these senior officers and men have been placed on special surveillance.”

Another source spoke of an intelligence report, which seems to be pointing at “an insider’s knowledge” and “some level of sympathy for those behind the bombings” by some officers and men.

“We are certainly investigating all bends, we will not limit ourselves to any factor,” said the source.

Responding to a question, the source added: “The two officers might be retired by their various services or advised to proceed on voluntary retirement.

“If the CDS said that he could not work with these officers, do you expect any service chief to pat them on the back and give them command postings again?

“They might not be directly involved in the incident but as commanders, they have to pay the price. Military command is about leaderhip and being in total control.

“The Jaji incident almost killed the Deputy Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.”

There were indications last night that about 20 police officers and men are still undergoing interrogation over the invasion of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Office in Abuja last Monday.

Those being grilled are mostly those on duty.

It was also gathered that some suspects of the SARS invasion were arrested in Kobi village in one of the valleys within the landscape surrounding the office.

Some of the re-arrested 25 detainees in SARS custody were also picked up in the village.

The arrest informed the mass raiding of hills and valleys in Guzape and Apo districts in the last seven days.

Another source added: “So far, investigation is zeroed in on those armed who were also on duty last Monday. With about three to four armoured tanks, these gunmen were still able to attack SARS office.

“Members of the Special Investigation Panel have visited SARS office and about 20 officers and men are being interrogated at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

“A few officers and men initially arrested but who were not involved have been set free.”

The military authorities should also remove mammy markets from all barracks. It is a reflection of the indiscipline that permeates the entire country. Civilians (except of course family members) have no business in barracks. Civilian family members should not be allowed to engage in any commercial activities within the barracks.

Douglas Okpongete

It will be advisable you establish the reasoning behind its existence before calling for removal of markets from Army Barracks.

Saddam

I’m sorry but may be they will now begin to act positively, now that the thing don they hit them too.

henry humphrey dater

those behind the bombings that are happening in the country, please stop it because it does not pay rather distruction- there is judgement awaiting everybody in heaven. I am always grieved when i heard there is bomb blast. Let give peace a change in our dear country-nigeria

All I know is Dat nothing will come out of dis,bet me.they know who did dis the next thing now,they will call their names,next they have been arrested & under awaiting trail,next,prison break,de escaped,SAFINY.my prayer is Dat thy should remain there in the north,thy should not exeed any other part of dis country,very soon the north will be aborlished,

It is an embarrassment indeed.I find it difficult that these Generals would have been culpable directly. There is no doubt that the buck stops with them If anything at all, they treated the whole security challenges in the country with levity. I f I have my way, as a service chief, I will send them away on overseas posting and reprimand them in a different manner, taking into account their service records.
No one in his right mind will rise to the position they got to in the armed forces and risk everything by colluding with Boko Haram. Don’t hand over the propaganda coup to Boko Haram. That will be more damaging to the image of the Nigerian armed forces. Please think again.At this point in time, we do not have a substantive Minister of Defence, Why? Even if there was one, would you have sacked him?

Sam

I trust the Military. The criminal Commander of Abuja SARS is still in his position as we speak and that was a worse calamity as far as i’m concerned. In that one some Boko Haram escaped, in the Jaji one they actually perished with their bombs

com. EGBE JEROME

I think there is a need for the Nigerian Arm Forces to wake -up from their slow approach to this bombing of churches in the north,if l should ask what is wrong with the Nigeria Air-force it’s that they don’t have jet to patrol all the borders,better still they can engage the services of the Israeli Air forces to raid this stupid Boko-ram,or ask Israel to help them with their Iron dome anti missile system,there is no need for the CDS to retire the two Generals,all what they need to do is to re- train this military personnel and acquire more sophistical weapons and recruite more officers.

Dgs

Just wait and see how judgement of God will be fall the Nigerian army. We keep on crying there terrorist in the army killing innocent people on the streets they will always deny. May God expose them the more until more truth is reveal . The blood of the innocent will never be shed in vain